Man Pleads Not Guilty to Killing Teen Over Loud Music
An Oregon man accused of killing a black teen at a hotel during a dispute over loud music has pleaded not guilty, prosecutors said.
Robert Paul Keegan, 47, of Talent, entered the plea Friday to charges including second-degree murder in the fatal Nov. 23 shooting of 19-year-old Aidan Ellison, according to the Jackson County District Attorney’s Office.
Keegan — who was staying at the Stratford Inn hotel in Ashland with his 3-year-old son after being displaced from their home in September during one of the state’s wildfires — became enraged at Ellison playing loud music in the parking lot at about 4 a.m., Ashland Police Chief Tighe O’Meara previously said.
O’Meara clarified his comments about Keegan’s alleged motive on Thursday, saying the “only thing” that caused Ellison’s death was the suspect’s actions.
